Ep 1. Smoke, Blood, and Mirrors

Last Days of the Nazis first season's first episode is named Smoke, Blood, and Mirrors. This episode takes a deep dive into the story of Heinrich Himmler, the infamous head of the SS and architect of the Holocaust. It explores how Himmler used propaganda and deception to both hide the atrocities of the Holocaust and to manipulate his own position within the Nazi regime.

Through a mix of expert commentary, interviews with survivors, and archival footage, Smoke, Blood, and Mirrors reveals Himmler's role in the third Reich as it neared its end. The episode shows how Himmler worked tirelessly to keep the concentration camps running even as the Allies closed in on Germany. Himmler wanted to ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust continued even if the Nazis lost the war.

The episode provides a detailed history of Heinrich Himmler and his rise to power. Audience learns about how he rose through the ranks of the Nazi party to take command of the notorious SS and Gestapo forces. The episode goes back in time to show young Heinrich Himmler; a shy, bookish boy from a comfortable middle-class family who was drawn to the extreme authoritarianism of the Nazi ideology.

During the episode, viewers see how Himmler, known as the "architect of the Holocaust," created a structure that was able to murder millions of Jews, Romas, and other minority groups throughout Europe. The episode examines how Himmler's ideas of racial purity, anti-Semitism, and eugenics led him down a dangerous path and how he became one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany.

Throughout the episode, viewers see how Himmler tried to cover up his crimes. The Nazi regime worked hard to hide the concentration camps from the public, and Himmler was instrumental in this effort. The episode shows Himmler's use of propaganda, such as fake newsreels and documentaries, to hide the true nature of what was happening in the camps. It also explores how Himmler tried to distance himself from the most brutal aspects of the Holocaust, claiming that he was only following Hitler's orders.

Smoke, Blood, and Mirrors also focuses on the discovery of Himmler's private diaries and what they reveal about his personality and motivations. These diaries reveal that Himmler was personally involved in every aspect of the Holocaust, from the selection of victims to the design of the gas chambers. The episode highlights how Himmler saw himself as a visionary, someone who was creating a new world order based on racial purity.

Finally, the episode documents how the Allies finally caught up with Heinrich Himmler and brought an end to his reign of terror. Himmler was eventually captured by the British, and after several failed attempts to negotiate with his captors, he committed suicide using a cyanide pill. The episode looks at the aftermath of his death and the legacy he left behind.

Overall, Smoke, Blood, and Mirrors is a gripping exploration of one of the most notorious figures of the twentieth century. Through a blend of expert analysis and firsthand accounts, the episode offers a detailed overview of Heinrich Himmler's role in the Holocaust and the Nazi regime. It is an important and thought-provoking piece of television that provides a timely reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the importance of understanding history to prevent its repetition.